U.S. Marine Corps: MDX-ARDB: Stronger Together

Press release from the U.S. Marine Corps:

2nd Lt. Alana Stern

2022-03-11

U.S. Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade began their first dedicated bilateral training exercise together, taking place at Numazu Beach, Japan, and Combined Arms Training Center Fuji, Japan.

The exercise known as the Maritime Defense Exercise-Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade began with a staff exercise that preceded the event. This event allowed 31st MEU and ARDB leadership to conduct detailed planning at the ARDB home station, Camp Ainoura, Japan.

“The 31st MEU and ARDB are two of the best trained and most prepared crisis response forces within the First Island chain,” said Col. Michael Nakonieczny, commanding officer of the 31st MEU. “The main purpose of MDX-ARB is to reinforce our long standing relationship with the ARDB, deter competitor and adversary aggression, and highlight that the 31st MEU and ARDB are prepared to respond to any crisis, at any time, together.”

 “The 31st MEU and ARDB are two of the best trained and most prepared crisis response forces within the First Island chain.” Col. Michael Nakonieczny, 31st MEU commanding officer

MDX-ARDB enables participants to work as dedicated partners in support of the U.S.-Japan security alliance while demonstrating evolutions such as an amphibious landing, combined arms trainings, and functional level training to hone key tactics and skills.

The exercise includes Marines and sailors from the 31st MEU, including participation from the U.S. Air Force 374th Airlift Wing and Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3 Seabees. Japanese counterparts are provided by the 1st Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment of the ARDB. The ARDB is an amphibious unit of the JGSDF.

“We are committed to our enduring foundation and to building interoperability,” said Col. Masahi Hiraki, commander of the 1st Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment. “We are here to strengthen our ties. Bilateral trainings like MDX-ARDB conducted between the U.S. Marine Corps and ARDB demonstrate both countries’ devotion to their mutual partnership and dedication to peace and stability in the region.”

MDX-ARDB seeks to strengthen the defensive capabilities of the U.S.-Japan alliance in support of defending key maritime terrain. Combined bilateral activities such as bilateral command and control in a distributed environment allows the two countries to mutually learn and grow from one another.

This press release was produced by the U.S. Marine Corps. The views expressed here are the author’s own.